Four chieftains of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) are
cooling their heels in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the
Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Akure for absconding with the money meant for the
October 20 governorship election campaign of the party in Ondo State.
Deputy Director-General of ACN Campaign Team in Ondo South Senatorial District, Mr. Femi Johnson, who disclosed this to reporters yesterday, debunked the rumour that he was arrested along with others by the police for absconding with the money meant for last Saturday’s election.
The suspects, according to the ACN chieftain, included a former Special Assistant to a Minister, a legal practitioner in Ilaje Local Government, a local government party chairman in the southern senatorial district and a chieftain of the party in the area.
Johnson, who did not disclose the specific amount the suspects absconded with, said the leadership of the party would recover the stolen money from them.
The money, according to a source, runs into millions of naira.
Johnson said the money for the election in the southern senatorial district was directly handed over to the suspects for judicious use for the election but expressed disappointment that the suspects made away with the fund.
He said the suspects are now in state CID, Akure where they are being detained after interrogation.
Johnson said it would be unfair for any member of the party in the state to frustrate the efforts of ACN National leadership particularly Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu to accomplish the regional integration of the South-West by ensuring the victory of the party at the last poll
The ACN chieftain, who decried the level of manipulations at the poll, appealed to party members in the state to be calm, assuring them that justice would be done at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
He said the money released through him six weeks to the election, was disbursed appropriately without any rancour, saying he decided to address the media over the issue to exonerate himself from the fraud rumour being peddled around alleging him of complicity.
His words: “It will be unfair and undemocratic for any member of ACN in Ondo State to frustrate the efforts of ACN National Leader to integrate the South-West states. It is, therefore, important and pertinent to let the public know the true position of things as regards campaign fund for the election.
“An adage says good name is better than gold and silver. I am a politician of high repute and I will never do anything that will tarnish my image. I want to confirm to you that the money for the election in the southern senatorial district was not given to me. The one given to me six weeks before the election was judiciously disbursed.
“But the one released for the election was not disbursed through me. I was a member of Agagu Campaign Team in 2003 and I never stole any money. Why should I steal or abscond with the party’s money now that I am the Deputy Director-General of Aketi Campaign Team? My name is more precious to me than gold and silver,” Johnson said
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Adeniran Aremu, said he would brief our correspondent as soon as his office has detailed information about the arrest of the suspects
Deputy Director-General of ACN Campaign Team in Ondo South Senatorial District, Mr. Femi Johnson, who disclosed this to reporters yesterday, debunked the rumour that he was arrested along with others by the police for absconding with the money meant for last Saturday’s election.
The suspects, according to the ACN chieftain, included a former Special Assistant to a Minister, a legal practitioner in Ilaje Local Government, a local government party chairman in the southern senatorial district and a chieftain of the party in the area.
Johnson, who did not disclose the specific amount the suspects absconded with, said the leadership of the party would recover the stolen money from them.
The money, according to a source, runs into millions of naira.
Johnson said the money for the election in the southern senatorial district was directly handed over to the suspects for judicious use for the election but expressed disappointment that the suspects made away with the fund.
He said the suspects are now in state CID, Akure where they are being detained after interrogation.
Johnson said it would be unfair for any member of the party in the state to frustrate the efforts of ACN National leadership particularly Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu to accomplish the regional integration of the South-West by ensuring the victory of the party at the last poll
The ACN chieftain, who decried the level of manipulations at the poll, appealed to party members in the state to be calm, assuring them that justice would be done at the Election Petitions Tribunal.
He said the money released through him six weeks to the election, was disbursed appropriately without any rancour, saying he decided to address the media over the issue to exonerate himself from the fraud rumour being peddled around alleging him of complicity.
His words: “It will be unfair and undemocratic for any member of ACN in Ondo State to frustrate the efforts of ACN National Leader to integrate the South-West states. It is, therefore, important and pertinent to let the public know the true position of things as regards campaign fund for the election.
“An adage says good name is better than gold and silver. I am a politician of high repute and I will never do anything that will tarnish my image. I want to confirm to you that the money for the election in the southern senatorial district was not given to me. The one given to me six weeks before the election was judiciously disbursed.
“But the one released for the election was not disbursed through me. I was a member of Agagu Campaign Team in 2003 and I never stole any money. Why should I steal or abscond with the party’s money now that I am the Deputy Director-General of Aketi Campaign Team? My name is more precious to me than gold and silver,” Johnson said
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Adeniran Aremu, said he would brief our correspondent as soon as his office has detailed information about the arrest of the suspects
The Compass
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